On Saturday May 21st, from 1-3 PM, at the Barnes and Nobles in Reno Nevada, come meet me and get a signed copy of Writers of the Future Volume 32! There will be two of us authors present and we’d love to talk about writing, the contest, our stories, whatever strikes your interest!

Today my novelette “Swords Like Lightning, Hooves Like Thunder” is available wherever books are sold!

This is a story in the same universe as “The Golden Knight”, but about 35 years earlier. There’s a bear warrior – two bear warriors actually – and I get to introduce another of my combat magics, Methlan skinwards. And what are those? Take a look at the art that goes along with my story…

Not hooked yet? How about a sample…

When her horse stumbled near the edge of the bluff, Yvina leaned against its neck and prayed that the animal had merely missed its footing. The roan took another two steps and then faltered. Yvina glanced over her shoulder. Her pursuers rode along the treeless top of the last ridge, maybe two miles back. Too far below her, the river glinted in the early morning sun. She was exhausted from riding all night. She hadn’t eaten in a day, and her tongue was thick with thirst. Acrid fear and horse- sweat clogged her nostrils. She’d never make it but had to try. She urged the horse on. It’s no use, her bear whispered inside her mind. He’s spent.

Can you give more of your strength to him? she asked. She’d already shared the bear’s power with the horse once. It was a trick reserved for dire straits, where the risk of death was stronger than the risk of having your soul come unraveled.

His tendon is strained, the bear said. I don’t have enough strength for that.

Then share mine, she urged.

If I drained us both, it might work, but then we’ll be helpless, the bear warned.

Then she’d save her strength and the bear’s for when her pursuers caught up. She slid off the horse onto the rocky ground, avoiding a clump of spiky grass. At least she had the short sword she’d taken off one of the Methlan warriors earlier. She wasn’t going to let them take her alive. And she wasn’t going to die easily. The horse took three steps before collapsing. Yvina spared a thought for the beast but there was nothing she could do for it. She scrambled down the steep slope, her shift catching on the prickly bushes, heading toward the river. Even if she reached it and crossed, she wouldn’t be safe. Her brother’s army lay miles away. This was such a stupid way to die, after everything she and Aradon had been through. If only Aradon had listened to her warnings. Her brother was a fool. Now he was a fool in chains, surrounded by enough Methlan warriors to defeat even him. Was Aradon even still alive?

Worry about us first, her bear said.

I wish you had teeth and claws to help me fight, Yvina said. Now she was halfway down the steep slope. The scent of water made her parched mouth tingle. Her feet kept up a steady trot. Her eyes scanned the rocky hillside for safe footing. She could try going straight down the slope, while the riders would have to pick a path their horses could manage.

I’ll give you everything I can, the bear promised. It was a comforting presence in her head. We’ll make them pay.

On April 10th, 2016 I was honored to be included in the gala event for Writers of the Future 2016. As the Published Finalist for this year, I was given the same opportunity as the other winners to attend a workshop taught by some of the best writers of our genre, and then the week culminated in this amazing ceremony.

In this video, my section starts at about 2:02:10. The other winners are all fantastic people and I was honored to share the stage with them all.

My novelette, Swords Like Lightning, Hooves Like Thunder will appear in Writers of the Future Volume 32 which is now available for preorder! The book has twelve other original short stories from up-and-coming authors as well as a full-color illustration for each story. No, I haven’t seen my illustration yet, but I’m eager to see it.

Why should you get this? Well, if you liked my “Golden Knight” story, Swords Like Lightning contains a lot of the same elements, only more of them. Two bear warriors. Multiple fights. A brand-new landscape and a culture I didn’t show in “Golden Knight”: the plainsriding Methlan, who have their own unique magic and legends

“I hope you haven’t sold Swords Like Lightning, Hooves Like Thunder elsewhere, because we want to publish it in this year’s Writers of the Future anthology!” the voice at the other end of the line said.

After peeling myself back off the ceiling I assured her that I had held it back in case they wanted it and would be delighted to have it included. And to come to LA for the Writers of the Future gala. And all the other perks that come with being a winner. But mostly, to have this story published.

It’s set in the same world as my “Golden Knight” story. There’s a bear warrior – two, in fact! There’s combat, and adventure, and romance. At 15,000 words I think it feels like a very satisfying length. And sometime later this spring – May, I believe – it will be available in Writers of the Future Volume 32 from Amazon or a bookstore near you.

I have some extremely exciting news about one of those stories that I will be able to share very soon!

I have also begun to search for an agent for my most recently finished novel. It is not set in the same universe as the stories above. I may traditionally publish or eventually self-publish it. The road ahead is long, but ultimately rewarding.

Meanwhile, it’s off to Superstars Writers Seminar for us. Really looking forward to a long weekend of learning, interacting with other writers, and challenging ourselves. 2016 is going to be an amazing year.

I am honored to have been one of the finalists for Writers of the Future for the second quarter of 2015. This is the second time I have been a finalist and the second time I have, ultimately, not won.

My finalist story is in the same universe as my “Golden Knight” story for Baen. I’m pursuing different options for getting this story published. Rest assured it will be available within the next year, one way or another. I’m very proud of this story and can’t wait to share it with the world.

Meanwhile, making finalist a second time has helped shift my goals. I spent some time in the last year or so working on short stories and submitting them with little luck. I’ve decided to stop that. I’m a novelist at heart anyway. So I’ll keep writing short works for Writers of the Future, but return my focus to the novel length stories I love.

This blog has been neglected, which I intend to remedy. But you haven’t heard the last from me.